Gaza Freedom Flotilla came under fire early on Monday by Israeli navy forces in international waters more than 150km (90 miles) off the coast of Gaza. The six-ship aid fleet was soon stormed by commandos descending from helicopters.At least 20 people were killed in the takeover of the Gaza aid convoy.

WASHINGTON/UNITED NATIONS-Pakistani envoys in Washington and New York moved quickly, making contacts with senior US and UN officials to seek their help in asertaining the whereabouts of Pakistani citizens, who were aboard a Gaza-bound humanitarian mission, which came under deadly Israeli attack in international waters.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to US Husain Haqqani is in touch with senior White House and State Department officials over the welfare of Pakistanis, an Embassy spokesman said.

Last Interview of Talat before he went missing. At least 20 passengers have been reported dead and over 60 wounded, Aaj News reported.

In New York, Pakistan’s acting Ambassador to the UN Amjad Hussain Sial spoke to Secretary-General’s Chef de Cabinet Vijay Nambiar and requested the UN chief’s assistance in ‘ascertaining the whereabouts, safety, security and safe return’ of three Pakistani citizens.

Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, who condemned the Israeli attack, is attending a conference in Kampala, Uganda.

The Chef de Cabinet assured the Ambassador of UN’s full cooperation and assistance in this regard, Pakistani mission spokesman Mian Jehangir Iqbal said.

The acting Ambassador termed the ‘unwarranted and unprovoked’ action by the Israeli forces a gross violation of international law and all norms of humanity.

In Washington, the Pakistani Embassy in Washington Monday established an operation room to coordinate efforts for rescue of the Pakistani citizens.

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council met in emergency session Monday afternoon less than 24 hours after Israel’s lethal military operation.

According to diplomatic sources, the Council sought consensus on a statement to condemn the attack. It was not seeking a resolution, which would be binding on all parties involved.

At least nine civilians died and 30 more were seriously injured when the Israeli military boarded the boats which were seeking to run the Israeli blockade on Gaza.

Behind closed doors, all 15 Security Council members were expected to express their views on the bloody Mediterranean incident. Israeli and Palestinian representatives would also be heard, officials said.

Before the session, Riyad Mansour, the permanent observer of Palestine to the United Nations, said the attack was a ‘massacre’ and a crime ‘against international law and international humanitarian law’.

He asked the Security Council to order an independent international investigation on the incident. The investigation, he noted, should bring those responsible for the attack before the courts.

The UN in Uganda, also called for a ‘full investigation to determine exactly how this bloodshed took place’.

Lebanon’s Nawaf Salam, the Security Council President for May, called the meeting at Turkey’s request. The United Nations headquarters in New York were officially closed Monday, for the US Memorial Day public holiday.

According to the UN Charter, the Security Council is responsible for peace and security around the world.

Protests in Pakistan against attack on Freedom Flotilla

People from all walks of life here on Monday staged protest against Israeli attack on Freedom Flotilla, a boat carrying pro-Palestinian activists and relief goods for people in Gaza.

ISLAMABAD: The pre-dawn Israeli attack on a flotilla which left more than 20 civilians dead brought hundreds of demonstrators to the streets in the federal capital on Monday.

Protestors, including journalists, traders, students, parliamentarians and religious leaders, demanded that Israel be held accountable for its actions.

“What do you expect from a state that even the United States fears and can’t do anything to stop them except use empty diplomatic threats?” Marvi Memon, MNA from PML-Q said.

People chant slogans and raise banners on Monday afternoon to protest against the Israelli attack on a flotilla of ships carrying aid for Gaza

The protestors demanded the international community to sever diplomatic ties with Israel and termed the raid international terrorism.

“Israel should make no mistake that their inhuman behaviour will be dealt with in the severest manner,” a protestor told The Express Tribune.

The protestors were carrying anti-Israel banners and placards and chanting slogans against the Jewish state. Most of the messages on the banners called upon the international community to take notice of this “atrocity” and take the steps to prevent Israel’s “brutal activities.”Read more of this post